The EDGE: ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Wednesday, August 8, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Wednesday, August 8, 2012

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Conflict of interest declarations in off-label drug use inadequate, experts say (August 7, 2012) -- Conflict-of-interest statements made by physicians and scientists in their medical journal articles after they had been allegedly paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers as part of off-label marketing programs are often inadequate, highlighting the deficiencies in relying on author candidness and the weaknesses in some journal practices in ensuring proper disclosure, according to a new study. ... > full story

New non-toxic disinfectant could tackle hospital infections (August 7, 2012) -- A new disinfectant, Akwaton, that works at extremely low concentrations could be used in healthcare settings to help control persistent hospital-acquired infections such as Clostridium difficile. Researchers tested the new compound, Akwaton, against bacterial spores that attach to surfaces and are difficult to destroy. Previous work has shown Akwaton is also effective at low concentrations against strains of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. ... > full story

Planting the seeds of defense: Stress triggers widespread epigenetic changes that aid in disease resistance (August 7, 2012) -- It was long thought that methylation, a crucial part of normal organism development, was a static modification of DNA that could not be altered by environmental conditions. New findings, however, suggest that the DNA of organisms exposed to stress undergo changes in DNA methylation patterns that alter how genes are regulated. ... > full story

Orbiter images NASA's latest additions to Martian landscape (August 7, 2012) -- Late Monday night, an image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the Curiosity rover and the components that helped it survive its seven-minute ordeal from space to its present location in Mars' Gale Crater. ... > full story

Can nature parks save biodiversity? (August 7, 2012) -- As human activities put increasing pressures on natural systems and wildlife to survive, 200 scientists around the world carved up pieces of the puzzle to present a clearer picture of reality and find ways to mitigate the destructive forces at work. ... > full story

Thinner diabetics face higher death rate (August 7, 2012) -- American adults of a normal weight with new-onset diabetes die at a higher rate than overweight/obese adults with the same disease, according to a new study. ... > full story

Cholesterol levels appear to be improving among US youths (August 7, 2012) -- In a study involving more than 16,000 U.S. children and adolescents, there has been a decrease in average total cholesterol levels over the past 2 decades, although almost 1 in 10 had elevated total cholesterol in 2007-2010. ... > full story

Transformed X-48c flies successfully (August 7, 2012) -- The remotely piloted X-48C aircraft successfully flew for the first time Aug. 7 at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert. The aircraft, designed by The Boeing Co. and built by Cranfield Aerospace Limited of the United Kingdom, is flying again in partnership with NASA. The new X-48C model, which was formerly the X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft, was modified to evaluate the low-speed stability and control of a low-noise version of a notional, future Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) aircraft design. The HWB design stems from concept studies being conducted by NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation project of future potential aircraft designs 20 years from now. ... > full story

Shedding new light on how jaws evolve (August 7, 2012) -- If you're looking for information on the evolution and function of jaws, a new integrative research program has some answers. Scientists are investigating major adaptive and morphological transformations in the mammalian musculoskeletal system during development and across higher-level groups. ... > full story

Control of devastating cassava virus in Africa demonstrated (August 7, 2012) -- Scientists recently demonstrated progress in protecting cassava against cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), a serious virus disease, in a confined field trial in Uganda using an RNA interference technology. ... > full story

Diseased trees new source of climate gas (August 7, 2012) -- Diseased trees in forests may be a significant new source of methane that causes climate change, according to researchers. ... > full story

New pathway for invasive species -- science teachers (August 7, 2012) -- A survey of teachers from the United States and Canada found that one out of four educators who used live animals as part of their science curriculum released the organisms into the wild after they were done using them in the classroom. ... > full story

Chemists advance clear conductive thin films (August 7, 2012) -- Thin, conductive films are useful in displays and solar cells. A new solution-based chemistry for making indium tin oxide films could allow engineers to employ a much simpler and cheaper manufacturing process. ... > full story

Drug successfully halts fibrosis in animal model of liver disease (August 7, 2012) -- A potential new NADPH oxidase inhibitor therapy for liver fibrosis, a scarring process associated with chronic liver disease that can lead to loss of liver function. ... > full story

Nanoparticle discovery opens door for pharmaceuticals (August 7, 2012) -- What a student thought was a failed experiment has led to a serendipitous discovery hailed by some scientists as a potential game changer for the mass production of nanoparticles. ... > full story

California's hydropower stations to generate less electricity in summer as climate warms (August 7, 2012) -- California's hydropower is vulnerable to climate change, a scientist has advised policymakers. According to the scientist, if California loses snowpack under climate warming, high-elevation hydropower-plant reservoirs may not be able to store enough water for hydropower generation in summer months when the demand is much higher and hydropower is priced higher. ... > full story

Composite nanofibers open next chapter in orthopaedic biomaterials (August 7, 2012) -- Scientists have developed and validated a new technology in which composite nanofibrous scaffolds provide a loose enough structure for cells to colonize without impediment, but still can instruct cells how to lay down new tissue. ... > full story

Genetic analyses reveal novel mutations as causes of startle disease (August 7, 2012) -- Two new studies identify genetic mutations that play important roles in the condition commonly referred to as startle disease. Startle disease is characterized by an exaggerated response to noise and touch, which can interfere with breathing, cause catastrophic falls and even result in death. The newly identified genetic mutations affect how the signaling molecule glycine, which is responsible for sending messages between nerve cells, is both moved around and used in these cells. ... > full story

Searching for tumors or handguns can be like looking for food (August 7, 2012) -- If past experience makes you think there's going to be one more cashew at the bottom of the bowl, you're likely to search through those mixed nuts a little longer. But what keeps the attention of a radiologist or baggage screener who can go hours without finding anything? The answer may be to make those professional searchers believe there are more targets to be found. ... > full story

New gene linked to PTSD identified (August 7, 2012) -- Investigators have identified a new gene linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings indicate that a gene known to play a role in protecting brain cells from the damaging effects of stress may also be involved in the development of PTSD. ... > full story

Division of labor offers insight into the evolution of multicellular life (August 7, 2012) -- Dividing tasks among different individuals is a more efficient way to get things done, whether you are an ant, a honeybee or a human. A new study suggests that this efficiency may also explain a key transition in evolutionary history, from single-celled to multi-celled organisms. ... > full story

Greater working memory capacity benefits analytic, but not creative, problem-solving (August 7, 2012) -- Psychological scientists have long known that the amount of information we can actively hold in mind at any given time – known as working memory – is limited. Our working memory capacity reflects our ability to focus and control attention and strongly influences our ability to solve problems. Psychological scientists find that while increased working memory capacity seems to boost mathematical problem-solving, it might actually get in the way of creative problem solving. ... > full story

Corticosteroids not effective for treating acute sinusitis, study suggests (August 7, 2012) -- Corticosteroids, frequently prescribed to alleviate acute sinusitis, show no clinical benefit in treating the condition, according to a randomized controlled trial. ... > full story

A simple way to help cities monitor traffic more accurately (August 7, 2012) -- New software helps in-road traffic detectors count cars more accurately -- and save city planners money. ... > full story

TRPM7 protein key to breast cancer metastasis in animal models (August 7, 2012) -- The protein transient receptor potential melastatin-like 7 (TRPM7) is a critical determinant of breast cancer cell metastasis, according to new study. ... > full story

Using millions of years of cell evolution in fight against cancer (August 7, 2012) -- Researchers are focusing on ways to fight cancer by attacking defective genes before they are able to make proteins. They are studying micro RNAs (miRNAs), a class of small RNAs that interact with messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that have been linked to a number of diseases, including cancer. Scientists placed two different miRNAs (MiR-7 and MiR-128) into ovarian cancer cells and watched how they affected the gene system. ... > full story

The economic cost of increased temperatures: Warming episodes hurt poor countries and limit long-term growth (August 7, 2012) -- Even temporary rises in local temperatures significantly damage long-term economic growth in the world's developing nations, according to a new study. ... > full story

Should young men be vaccinated against human papilloma virus? (August 7, 2012) -- Vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) is recommended for young women to protect them from HPV infection and cervical cancer. Male HPV immunization is increasingly a topic of debate in the medical community. ... > full story

What makes Paris look like Paris? Software finds stylistic core (August 7, 2012) -- Paris is one of those cities that has a look all its own, something that goes beyond landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame. Researchers have developed visual data mining software that can automatically detect these sometimes subtle features, such as street signs, streetlamps and balcony railings, that give Paris and other cities a distinctive look. ... > full story

Advance in X-ray imaging shines light on nanomaterials (August 7, 2012) -- A new advance in X-ray imaging has revealed the dramatic three-dimensional shape of gold nanocrystals, and is likely to shine a light on the structure of other nano-scale materials. ... > full story

Higgs transition of north and south poles of electrons in a magnet (August 7, 2012) -- Minimal evidence of a Higgs transition;1 of north and south poles of electron spins was observed in a magnet Yb2Ti2O7 at the absolute temperature;2 0.21 K. A fractionalization of these monopoles from electron spins was observed on cooling to 0.3 K. On further cooling below 0.21 K, the material showed the ferromagnetism to be understood as a superconductivity of monopoles. The work is reported in an online science journal “Nature Communications” in UK on August 7, by an international collaboration team of Dr. Shigeki Onoda (Condensed Matter Theory Lab., RIKEN Advanced Science Institute), Dr. Lieh-Jeng Chang (Quantum Beam Science Dictorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency and Dept. of Physics, National Cheng Kung Univ.), and Dr. Yixi Su (Jülich Center for Neutron Science JCNS-FRM II, Forschungszentrum Jülich), and coworkers. ... > full story

Health insurance: Those who are covered, recover (August 7, 2012) -- Underinsured CVD patients die sooner than patients with private insurance, irrespective of race. ... > full story

Lower risk of serious side-effects in trials of new targeted drugs, study suggests (August 7, 2012) -- Patients in early clinical trials of new-style targeted cancer therapies appear to have a much lower risk of the most serious side-effects than with traditional chemotherapy. Researchers analyzed data from 36 Phase I trials. The study found the overall risk to patients of suffering a life-threatening side-effect was around seven times less than for traditional cytotoxic agents. ... > full story

Dyslexia caused by faulty signal processing in brain; Finding offers clues to potential treatments (August 7, 2012) -- Researchers have made a major step forward in understanding the cause of dyslexia. The scientists have discovered an important neural mechanism underlying dyslexia and shown that many difficulties associated with dyslexia can potentially be traced back to a malfunction of the medial geniculate body in the thalamus. The results provide an important basis for developing potential treatments. ... > full story

Preserving an icon: Impact of historical domestic cattle hybridization with American bison revealed (August 7, 2012) -- Plains bison are an iconic symbol of America on everything from coins to state flags. Now scientists are exploring how the cross-breeding of bison with domestic cattle in the late 1800s may still have unwanted effects on modern populations of the species. ... > full story

Study finds with vacant lots greened, residents feel safer (August 7, 2012) -- Greening vacant lots may make neighborhood residents feel safer and may be associated with reductions in certain gun crimes, according to a new study. Results show that residents living near greened vacant lots feel safer than those near non-greened sites. ... > full story

High risk of bleeding from brain blood vessel abnormalities during pregnancy (August 7, 2012) -- A new study supports what neurosurgeons have long suspected —- that pregnancy is an important risk factor for bleeding from arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the brain. ... > full story

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be linked to increased cataract risk (August 7, 2012) -- Patients using cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may be at increased risk of developing age-related cataracts, according to a study. ... > full story

Birds do better in 'agroforests' than on farms (August 7, 2012) -- Compared with open farmland, wooded "shade" plantations that produce coffee and chocolate promote greater bird diversity, although a new study says forests remain the best habitat for tropical birds. The findings suggest that as open farmland replaces forests and "agroforests" -- where crops are grown under trees – reduced number of bird species and shifts in the populations of various types of birds may hurt "ecosystem services" that birds provide to people, such as eating insect pests, spreading seeds and pollinating crops. ... > full story

Paddlefish's doubled genome may question theories on limb evolution (August 7, 2012) -- The American paddlefish -- known for its bizarre, protruding snout and eggs harvested for caviar -- duplicated its entire genome about 42 million years ago, according to a new study. This finding may add a new twist to the way scientists study how fins evolved into limbs since the paddlefish is often used as a proxy for a more representative ancestor shared by humans and fishes. ... > full story

Why do infants get sick so often? Cell signaling prevents growth of essential immune cells, study shows (August 7, 2012) -- Babies can get sick often, but parents shouldn't take the blame. A new study shows essential immune cells that help fight infections don't develop until adulthood. ... > full story

Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts found in former finasteride users (August 7, 2012) -- Men who developed persistent sexual side effects while on finasteride (Propecia), a drug commonly used for male pattern hair loss, have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts. ... > full story

Holy bat detector! Ecologists develop first Europe-wide bat ID tool (August 7, 2012) -- Just as differences in song can be used to distinguish one bird species from another, the pips and squeaks bats use to find prey can be used to identify different species of bat. Now, for the first time, ecologists have developed a Europe-wide tool capable of identifying bats from their echolocation calls. ... > full story

Few kids use recommended safety restraints in cars (August 7, 2012) -- Despite the fact that car crashes are the leading cause of death for children older than three years in the U.S. and send more than 140,000 children to the emergency room each year, new research has found that low proportions of U.S. children are using age-appropriate safety restraints and many are placed at risk by riding in the front seat. ... > full story

Eco-computer with a natural wood look (August 7, 2012) -- Surfing for hours on the Internet consumes a lot of electricity and is harmful to the environment. However, a new ecological PC saves energy as it operates: It produces about 70 percent less CO2 than conventional computers. ... > full story

Using wastewater as fertilizer (August 7, 2012) -- Sewage sludge, wastewater and liquid manure are valuable sources of fertilizer for food production. Researchers have now developed a chemical-free, eco-friendly process that enables the recovered salts to be converted directly into organic food for crop plants. ... > full story

Cannabis as painkiller (August 7, 2012) -- Cannabis-based medications have been demonstrated to relieve pain. Cannabis medications can be used in patients whose symptoms are not adequately alleviated by conventional treatment. The indications are muscle spasms, nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy, loss of appetite in HIV/Aids, and neuropathic pain, experts say. ... > full story

Bruce Willis couldn’t save us from asteroid doom (August 7, 2012) -- According to the internet hysteria surrounding the ancient Mayan calendar, an asteroid could be on its way to wipe out the world on December 21, 2012. Obviously this is pretty unlikely -- but if an asteroid really is on its way, could we take a cue from the disaster movie Armageddon in order to save the planet? According to new research the answer is definitely "no." ... > full story